After Testing with some bricked Slim consoles ( from updating to CFW4.21 ) with different friends and testers around the world,I can confirm that Bricked consoles can be recovered back to CFW3.55 even if you didn't have a NOR Dump/Backup .

Requirements are:1- a Hardware Flasher so you can read/write to the PS3 NOR flash2- A Dongle with PSgrade payload (any old jailbreak dongle + PSGrade hex will do) used to Enter Factory Service Mode (FSM)3- Rogero CEX3.55 v3.7 PUP

for more details about Recovering from the Brick please check this new thread ----> Brick-Recovery Procedure from CFW4.21 back to CFW3.55

Note:- I didn't receive any Brick report from any FAT PS3 that updated to CFW4.21, so it seems FAT consoles are not being affected by the bug.

- Apparently only the last downgradable Slim models are affected (CECH-25xx with Datecode 1A and base FW version = 3.50)

- I Also know that there are also few Slims that bricked with model CECH-20xx but 90% of the reports were model(CECH-25xx with Datecode 1A and base FW version = 3.50).

- The Brick may be caused by the boot-loaders not being written correctly into the NOR during the Update process.

Please note also that all the above info may not be 100% accurate,things are still being worked on so nothing is confirmed at all and I don't promise anything about an updated CFW.

ATTENTION:

1- This CFW doesn't have LV1 checks disabled and can't be installed on Downgraded PS3 consoles unless you have Dehashed/Reset Syscon Properly (if you're not sure about your PS3, Dehash it anyway to avoid any risk) Link ----> Dehashing Tutorial

2- Always make a NOR/Nand dump using multiMAN or memdump before installing this CFW to have a recovery backup in case of any bricks.Having a valid NOR/Nand dump is an essential step before upgrading, because you will always have a way to recover (using hardware flashers) when you have a valid dump.** A Hardware Flasher alone without a valid dump cannot fix your bricked PS3 **

4- Always use the Recovery Menu while installing this CFW to avoid possible bricks (XMB update works, but Recovery Menu is safer).

5- TrueBlue CFW users must update back to OFW3.55 before installing this CFW to avoid possible bricks.

6- Please Check the MD5 of the downloaded PUP file before installing this CFW to avoid possible bricks. Many users who reported about bricks have had a different PUP MD5 checksum probably due to the large download rate on the download links/servers. If your PUP MD5 didn't match this MD5 : 418b6d659ba7201b04247618929e73ff Please re-download the file.

Links removed until the weird bricking issues are resolved...

MD5: 418b6d659ba7201b04247618929e73ff

Size : 192 MB (201,814,594 bytes)

v1.00 Info- This is a 4.21CFW spoofed to version 4.25 to allow SEN access- It can be used as a normal System Update from any 3.55 OFW/CFW/MFW- It was tested using a hardware flasher and no bricks or any problems at all were encountered- It can run games signed with Keys up to version 4.21 without any Eboot/Sprx patching needed- Games must be loaded from Disc Icon (with Original game in BD) and not from app_home- Current 3.55 homebrew application can't be loaded on this CFW, applications must be re-signed properly.

- Downgrading back to 3.55 is always possible using the following steps :- Download the 4.25 downgrader PUP ---> 4.25 Downgrader Size 176MB (184,595,263 bytes) MD5: 49d80e07fc1f5ca1b0840e02e94635db- Rename the downloaded file to "PS3UPDAT.PUP" and put it on your USB in: "USB\PS3\UPDATE\PS3UPDAT.PUP"- While on Rogero CFW4.21, go to System Update from XMB and install the 4.25 downgrader CFW.- Once installed, now put "Rogero CEX-3.55 CFW V3.7" on your USB in: "USB\PS3\UPDATE\PS3UPDAT.PUP" ---> Rogero CEX-3.55 CFW V3.7.PUP- Start the PS3 into Recovery Menu and install "Rogero CEX-3.55 CFW V3.7" (from Recovery Menu, this is important)- Once the install is finished, you're now back on Rogero CFW3.55 v3.7 (from here it's better to dehash again before installing any other OFW/CFW 3.55)

Credits to eussNL and the PS3DevWiki for the valuable and always up-to-date source of information.Credits to Deank for his continuous efforts on Multiman and many other PS3 tools/fixes.

You need to already be on 3.55 to install this. Installing from any firmware other than 3.55 will simply not work

Life4Beers

Logged

Life4Beers===============They tend to be suspicious, bristly, paranoid-type people with huge egos they push around like some elephantiasis victim with his distended testicles in a wheelbarrow terrified no doubt that some skulking ingrate of a clone student will sneak into his very brain and steal.